Successful entrepreneurs, business owners, and C-Level executives

Category Archives: Laws & Business

Networking play an integral role in small and medium sized businesses as this helps broaden both client and supplier connections. Many business owners today are learning from each other’s innovation and level up their game for healthier competition and customer satisfaction.

Hence, if you are planning to attend a conference, here are some tips that will help you make the most out of this experience.

1. Always Have Business Cards in your Pocket

Your cards represent you and, most importantly, it brands your business which makes it a huge mistake not to have a stack in your pocket. Custom business cards have been made affordable these days, and there is no excuse for any entrepreneur not to afford one or hand over a poorly home-printed card.

2. Prepare your Elevator Pitch

While your card provides a hard copy of your brand, an elevator pitch amplifies your business’ value and impression. An excellent 30-second conversational introduction should grab attention and make a solid impression that lasts. Know how to communicate your business interests quickly yet efficiently.

3. Power Dressing

Attending industry conferences equates to an opportunity to build your network and meet your competitors, future business partners, and investors. Hence, you have to dress sensibly and pack smart for the event. Your personal image can make-or-break the experience, especially you will only have one shot to create a positive impression on your co-attendees. While getting dressed “to kill” is a goal, you may always have to consider comfort as walking may also be part of the conference.

4. Manage Your Schedule Beforehand

Every trade event is a rare opportunity to meet investors and influencers to your business. Hence, you would have to come prepared and free of worries. Since these dates are announced ahead of time, do your best to clear up your schedules during the conference. Attend to important matters right away and manage your calendars accordingly. You have a lot to learn and meet on these limited occasions that you’d better make the most out of it.

Practice these steps every time you’re attending a trade show or seminar as these events need a lot of getting used to.

No matter which stage we’re at in the development of our businesses, we need funds flowing in to maximize our market potential. While having a great funding source can be relatively easy with knowledge and the right network, meeting the perfect financier to invest in your endeavor may be daunting.

Well, nothing beats being with the right network of people when these needs arise, at the right timing. Here are some places you should be in to scout for your future investor.

Networking Events

As its name suggests, a networking event is one of the best places to extend your business network and hopefully meet your sought-after investor. While you may need to get used to the culture and atmosphere in these meetings as it can be overwhelming at times, attending these events can help grow your business and meet those people who can make your dreams possible.

Community Organizations

Even the most prominent investors use marketing strategies. While these financiers are busy making money daily, they still find time to give back to their communities or preferred charities and increase their visibility at the same time. While we can’t always expect the top members to attend an individual event, we can still meet their representatives who can relay our interests.

LinkedIn

Every professional creates a LinkedIn account not just because it is considered ‘in,’ but because this networking platform is undeniably the best there is. You’ll come across connections and mutual contacts along the way, whom you can contact regarding your business interests and the need for an investor. Just abide by the rules and avoid spamming. Learning how to introduce yourself in a creative and exciting way also helps.

While these areas allow you to meet the right investor, approaching your future business partners without preparation, knowledge, and strong ideas can limit your chances. Remember there are also others who will be in these places with the same reasons, which adds to the invisible competition. Practice how to pitch your ideas and think them through.

Technology has allowed people to do so much, which include our new capacity to conduct productive business meetings and conferences online at no to minimal costs. Hence, we can attend webinars and listen to inspirational speakers without leaving our homes or offices.

However, live business conferences are still best, and substitutes cannot compare. Here are some reasons why attendance in business events is a must.

Something New, Something Old, Something Borrowed

A face-to-face environment for business conferences allows us to learn things we can sometimes miss or overlook online. Attendees tend to absorb and feel more with visual cues and body language that add up to the entire experience. Of course, we can expect to learn a lot of things from each speaker we listen to and other delegates with interact with – new and old stuff we can always apply to our business strategies.

Speaking of other attendees, we can also expect to learn about out competitors who can temporarily or permanently be our friends outside the event, aka our network. We’ll get a glimpse of how they are as a firm. We may also pick up some ideas we can borrow to make them our own.

Pitch to Potential Clients or Future Partners

Aside from attending as a delegate, we can opt to join conferences as a vendor. While this may entail a higher admission fee for some major events, entering any conference as an exhibitor is an essential exposure for your business. Imagine learning things and expanding your network while marking your products and services to the most ideal and financially capable clients. Though entering as a vendor doesn’t always guarantee an on-the-spot sale, this is still a marketing strategy that can bring folds of benefits in the long run. Plus, you can always conduct your personal survey and feasibility studies on the site.

Squeeze Your Creative Juice

While having a vacation somewhere else can be exciting, successful business people choose to attend these conferences instead. Everyone deserves a break from our daily routines which doesn’t necessarily equate to splurging in activities which do not add value to your firm.

If you’re looking for a change in atmosphere to ignite your creativity and innovation, consider attending a business conference as soon as you’re able.
These are just three reasons to book a ticket for a trade event. Well, let’s make it four: You can use your attendance, knowledge learned, and friends made at these conferences as bragging rights.